LJ and Goodreads Fall Book Previews 2026

This month Library Journal has their preview of the busiest season for new books-- Fall. Written by Jessica Trotter, this is a preview of all adult books-- fiction and nonfiction-- broken out by larger trends and covering the entire season. 

Whether you order books, help patrons, do one or both, you want to get a snap shot of what is hot and what titles are filling that trend, get in on this now.

It also comes with a spreadsheet of every title, to make ordering easier as well.

And if this huge preview is too much for you to digest right now, click here to read the Editor's Picks for Fall Finds. 

Before I send you to LJ's preview, I also think we need to balance this professional opinion with the readers' most anticipated books lists. We can get that via Goodreads and their MANY access point:

• Readers’ 60 Most Anticipated Fall Books
• New Horror Coming this Fall
• Your Guide to Fall's Top Adult Fiction
• New Romantasy and Paranormal Romance for Fall
• Fall Fantasy and SciFi Preview
• Upcoming Mystery and Thriller 

I am always advocating for looking at professional resources and reader driven resources to make sure we have the 360 degree picture of that is going on in the book world from conversations to anticipated titles to trends. No Fall Preview is Complete without looking at Goodreads or other reader focused resources.

Now back to the LJ article, click here to read it or see the overviews for Fiction and Nonfiction in general, reposted below, to get started. But then you have to click through for all of the details.

Fall Book Preview 2026 | The Seasonal Forecast About Books and Trends To Know

by Jessica Trotter 

Aug 12, 2026 | Filed in Reviews+

FICTION

The fiction forecast sees horror remaining a key trending genre and also growing more varied. Somewhat adjacent, witches are moving even more mainstream and appearing in many genres this season. Romantasy continues to dominate broadly, but there is a notable uptick in dark academia titles nipping at its heels. In romance, second-chance-at-love stories and paranormals are leading the season. Cozy and epic fantasy, representing two ends of the fantasy genre, are both holding strong, while space operas and aliens are key in the smaller science-fiction field. Novels about bookish subjects remain a popular choice and are plentiful across multiple genres. Download a spreadsheet of these titles plus nonfiction here.

NONFICTION

A year focused on commemorating the Declaration of Independence brings a wide breadth of history works and social sciences surveys examining the events that created the modern United States. Politics is heavily represented as well, with political books, partisan histories, and social justice–themed titles. Culinary tomes help make the fall delicious; among them is a new cookbook from Kwame Onwuachi (interviewed on p. 30). Nature writing is still very popular, as are biographies and memoirs, with a large list to pick from, whether readers enjoy music, movie stars, writers, or tales of more ordinary lives. Other subjects sustain interest as well, from Hollywood stories to poetry to self-help.

Click here or on the image below to read the entire article.

How Do Our Patrons Make Time for Reading? Have You Ever Asked?

Look we make time for reading because it is our job and even then, we often fail at making enough time. We also spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to put the correct book in each reader's hands, and yet, when is that last time we stopped to think about how and when they read (myself included)?

I frequently write about using conversations starters to have more meaningful conversations with our patrons about books and reading. Often I am using this concept as a means to the ends of creating more interactive and interesting displays. But, I have used the idea to help us engage our patrons in more general topics like when I had this post back in 2019," Ask Patrons What They Didn't Find and Then Actually Listen to Their Answers."

Today I was reminded by a book news story I have had filed away for a bit now and while it is interesting on its own, I did feel very called out by it-- called out in that it explodes a weakness in how I think about how we should and can best serve readers.

First things first. Here is the article from Vulture-- How 20 Well-Read People Make Time for Books

The answers to how they make time for books are as different as the people they ask. Now that part did not surprise me. What did surprise me is that I help match books with people every day and yet, I rarely ask them how they will read that specific book let alone how they make time for reading in general, and you know what? We all really should be thinking about that and asking people more often.

So today I am bringing that to all of you. Find a way to use my ideas for conversation starters to ask your patrons to share with you how they make time to read. Ask in the building, on social media, with a link on your website. When you have the answers find a fun, anonymous way to share them. Make info graphics. Have some fun with it.

But then also use what you learn to help craft your collections and RA service. How people are making time for reading often dictates what formats they read, the genres they choose, the feel of the books they are most drawn to, etc... We can't know how to help our readers if we don't ask. And asking is more than just finishing out what books they like to read and why.

And look, worst case scenario, you learn nothing from asking this question. BUT what you do gain is a connection with your patrons. You showed them that you care about them beyond the check out. You want to help enhance their reading life. You care about how they read not just what they read. This will Goa long way toward earning their good will, trust, and support.

You might not think you need that support now, but trust me, you will. The time to start building that support is before something happens, before you need it.

My idea, to ask them how they make time for reading, is a no lose activity. One that even the most grumpy admins can get behind.

Booklist's Corner Shelf Newsletter is Live for August 2026

A new issue of Corner Shelf: A Booklist Newsletter for the space where Readers' Advisory meets Collection Development just dropped. You can access the table of Contents and Susan Maguire's Editor's letter below. Or just click here to read the issue in your browser.

And please go here, if you haven't already, to sign up for any of Booklist's newsletters.

Specifically, this issue is packed with useful information and lists, but in general, this is one o fly favorite newsletters. It gathers a wide variety of useful information in one place, and all of it is focused around helping our readers through our collections or direct RA service.

August 2026

• Read ‘n’ Rave 2026: The List
• Fall Audiobook Preview 2026
• Reference Roundup: Summer 2026
• Top 10 Memoirs: 2026
• Excerpts from the Experts: Peacebuilding: A School Librarian’s Journey
• Essentials: Body Horror
• Shelf Care: Looking Back and Looking Ahead with Robert Wedgeworth
•  From the Backlist: Sweet Nothings: Confessions of a Candy Lover, by Sarah Perry

Hello Shelfers,

As you all stick a fork in your summer reading programs (they’re done!), I hope you’re each taking a well-deserved break. This issue of Corner Shelf is a little light, to match the workload you’re able to take on after the library year’s busiest season. We’re looking back a little bit: to ALA Annual, where we co-hosted the ever-popular Read ‘n’ Rave with our friends at LibraryReads; to our not-too-long-ago August issue, which featured the top 10 memoirs of the past year; even further back, to our June Essentials on Body Horror; and even further back than that with a Shelf Care interview with former ALA Executive Director Robert Wedgeworth, who ruminates on a decades-long career. We’re also looking ahead with the Fall Audiobook Preview for all of your preordering/hold-gathering needs. Then we’ve got a roundup of recent reference reviews and an inspiring piece on one librarian’s journey to serving his students with empathy and love.

This is sort of a lot for a “little light” issue, but what can I say, I’m an overachiever. And I know you need that sweet sweet readers’ advisory and collection development content to get you through your week!

Speaking of sweet sweet readers’ advisory and collection development content (with a soupçon of programming thrown in there), Booklist is hosting another series of FREE online workshops, this time centered around **comics**: Comics & Libraries: Resources for Collection Development and Programming. Maybe you have a few comics readers in your library? You’ll want to check these out. The workshops are being held on September 8th, but if you can’t make the live event, a recording will be sent out to all registrants. So sign up today!

Happy reading!

—Susan Maguire
Senior Editor, Collection Development and Library Outreach, Booklist
smaguire@ala.org
@booklistsusan.bsky.social

LibraryReads: September 2026

        

 It's LibraryReads day and that means four things here on RA for All

1. I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
2. I can remind you that even though the newest list is always fun to see, it is the older lists where you can find AWESOME, sure bet suggestions for patrons that will be on your shelf to actually hand to them right now. The best thing about LibraryReads is the compound interest it is earning. We now have hundreds and hundreds of titles worth suggesting right at our fingertips through this archive OR the sortable master list allowing you to mix and match however you want.
3. You have no excuse not to hand sell any LibraryReads titles because there is a book talk right there in the list in the form of the annotation one of your colleagues wrote for you. All you have to say to your patron is, “such and such library worker in blank state thought this was a great read,” and then you read what he or she said.
4. Every upcoming book now has at least 1 readalike that is available to hand out RIGHT NOW. Book talk the upcoming book, place a hold for it, and then hand out that readalike title for while they wait. If they need more titles before their hold comes in, use the readalike title to identify more readalike titles. And then keep repeating. Seriously, it is that easy to have happy, satisfied readers.

So get out there and suggest a good read to someone today. I don’t care what list or resource you use to find the suggestion, just start suggesting books.

Please remember to click here for everything you need to know about how to participate. 

And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.

Now let's get to the September 2026 list.... 

Aveyard, Victoria

Tempest

Harper Voyager

9/8/2026

At twenty Lady Rose is captured by marauding pirates and fights for her life. At thirty, bound for execution, her only chance at survival is her connection to the empire's most wanted man, Captain Kane. Fantasy readers will enjoy this new spin on pirate romance—especially because the two timelines don't meet in the middle, leaving readers anticipating what happens next.

—Kady Bischmann, Lawrence Public Library, KS

NoveList read-alike: The Crimson Sails series by Katee Robert

And now the rest of the list....

Benjamin, Chloe

Under Story

Putnam

9780593545218

9/1/2026

Laurel, a mushroom scientist, is working as a seasonal dishwasher at a research base in Antarctica, trying to escape her past after a tragedy. What ensues is a wild, brain-bending story. The science is written in a way that makes sense to the general reader. Readers will be thinking about this one long after it's over.

—Sydney Wirtz, Woodridge Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel

Due, Tananarive

Mazywood

Saga Press

9/22/2026

From Old Hollywood to present-day, this sweeping tale follows generations of the Washington family working in the racist entertainment world and living with a deadly family secret. Told from multiple perspectives and with well-developed characters, this horror read is unputdownable and perfectly represents generational rage and its impact.

—Kristin Skinner, Flat River Community Library, MI

NoveList read-alike: Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Langan, Sarah

Trad Wife

Atria Books

9/29/2026

Reporter Jenny is sent to Black Swan Farm, where Mia rules the roost over her seven— soon to be eight—children. It doesn't take long for Jenny to realize something strange is going on, and as she ingratiates herself into their world, she is plagued by visions. This is a layered, creepy, and shocking read.

—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH

NoveList read-alike: Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer

Lee, Min Jin

American Hagwon

Grand Central Publishing

9/29/2026

This multi-generational book follows the Koh family throughout the decades. Lee writes effortlessly about multiple families navigating life in multiple locations. This is a powerful message about the struggles of not just immigrants, but of people finding their way in life. This book has captivating characters readers will care about, flaws and all.

—Amy Tippett, North Beach, MD

NoveList read-alike: American Han by Lisa Lee

Livino, Isabela

An Immaculate Deception

Dutton

9/1/2026

Madalena is young, in love, and pregnant—but in 1870s Brazil, in her family's religious household, that is just not acceptable. Convinced her lover will do the right thing, she stays at his deteriorating family estate, where darkness permeates every room and even her beloved Leandro seems strange and disconnected. The gothic vibes are spot on in this debut novel, and the twisty plot just doesn't quit! 

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, NY

NoveList read-alike: The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Mason, Meg

Sophie, Standing There

Harper

9/29/2026

Sophie is going through a tough time after her husband leaves. To deal with her loneliness, she forms an imaginary relationship with her favorite author. The author's voice in her head offers friendship and advice, giving Sophie a way to work through her depression. A quiet and lonely story that will resonate with those of us who find solace in books and at times feel a powerful connection to the author. 

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX

NoveList read-alike: Is This a Cry for Help by Emily Austin

Philyaw, Deesha

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman

Mariner Books

9/29/2026

Scharisse Freeman's moment has finally come: on stage in the First Lady USA pageant, the ultimate validation for the wives of pastors of Black megachurches. She’s an incredibly likable main character whose life verges on soap opera, but the author handles her story with the loving care it deserves.  This blends the fun of soap and satire with social critique and pathos.

—Samuel Buelow, Santa Fe Public Library, NM

NoveList read-alike: Dominion by Addie Citchens

Reed, Mackenzie

I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell

Berkley

9/1/2026

Brie thought her biggest problem was surviving her boring office job, until she catches her boss performing an exorcism after hours. When her friend goes missing the next day, Brie gets pulled into a mission with her boss that leads straight to Hell. A chaotically fun mix of workplace humor and paranormal adventure. 

—Julia F., Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, PA

NoveList read-alike: Dearly Departed by Chip Pons

Westbury, Kate

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies

Minotaur Books

9/1/2026

In post-World-War-II Oxford, students Ginevra and Sidney are recruited by MI5 to ferret out a Soviet spy. Although they have very different backgrounds and goals, they are thrown together, which leads to a compelling plot and an enjoyable read.  With interesting characters and a compelling plot this is an enjoyable read.

—Deirdre Routt, Omaha Public Library, NE

NoveList read-alike: A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari

Board Bonus pick:

Peters, Amanda

The Birthing Tree: A Novel  

Catapult

9/1/2026

Notable Nonfiction: 

Du Mez, Kristin Kobes

Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made

W. W. Norton & Company

9/15/2026

See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks

Click here to see the entire Hall of Fame

The LibraryReads Hall of Fame designation honors authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly LibraryReads list since 2013. When their third title places on the list via library staff votes, the author moves into the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the Hall of Fame authors organized in alpha order. Please note, the current year's Hall of Fame lists are pulled out at the top of the page.

Allen, Sarah Addison

Paper Ghosts

St. Martin's Press

9/1/2026

Borison, B.K.

Grim Tidings

Avon

9/15/2026

DeLuca, Jen

Well Versed

Berkley 

9/22/2026

Foley, Lucy, and Agatha Christie

Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel

William Morrow

9/22/2026

Harrison, Rachel

Kiss Slay Replay

Berkley

9/1/2026

Hilderbrand, Elin, and Shelby Cunningham

The Thoroughbreds

Little, Brown and Company

9/15/2026

Kuang, R.F.

Taipei Story

William Morrow

9/8/2026

Lawhon, Ariel

The Pirate Queen: A Novel

Doubleday

9/8/2026

Mackintosh, Clare

It's Not What You Think

Sourcebooks Landmark

9/22/2026

Mandel, Emily St. John

Exit Party: A Novel

Knopf  

9/15/2026

Marske, Freya

Bodies of Magic

Tor Books

9/15/2026

Picoult, Jodi
Hollow Bones: A Novel

Ballantine Books

9/15/2026

Robb, J.D.

Fury in Death

St. Martin's Press

9/8/2026

Sage, Lyla

Free Falling: A Sweetwater Peak Novel    

Dial Press

9/22/2026